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Understanding the natural world has taken on added importance in recent years as the largely human-driven biodiversity crisis looms large on the horizon. This module will introduce students to the core principles of ecology and conservation science as they relate to major drivers of biodiversity loss, including climate change. It addresses fundamental questions such as: How do organisms interact with the environment and each other? How is biodiversity distributed across the Earth, and what governs where we find species? What are the main threats to biodiversity? How does biodiversity contribute to ecosystem services? How does biodiversity science contribute to solving the big problems facing society in the 21st century?

The module will focus on individuals, populations, communities and ecosystems, teaching current theories, paradigms and concepts and backed up with empirical evidence using examples from microbes, plants and animals. Students will be introduced to the following topics:

a) Key ecological principles, including macroecology, biogeography, community dynamics, and behavioural and evolutionary adaptations

b) Biodiversity in the Anthropocene, including responses to climate change and other threats

c) Conservation, nature’s contributions to people, and the links between biodiversity, politics, and society

d) Research approaches in biodiversity and conservation, including an opportunity for students to design and conduct their own mini research projects.

Students taking this course should expect weekly lectures, discussion-based and problem-solving practicals, optional exam practice sessions, and a summer field trip to Blakeney Point in North Norfolk. They will be encouraged to develop their critical and independent thinking, and their science communication skills.Ìý

Learning Aims and Objectives:

After taking this module student will be able to:

1.ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Understand the key concepts, paradigms and theories of biodiversity and conservation science.

2.ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Be able to link these concepts to the answering of the fundamental environmental problems of the 21st century.

3.ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Understand the principle of sampling and appreciate how and why spatial and temporal scales affect key patterns.

4.ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Appreciate the importance of critically evaluating prominent hypotheses and concepts within ecology.

5.ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Understand the importance of experimental design and hypothesis testing in ecology.

6.ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Collect and interpret appropriate data and undertake straightforward research tasks with guidance, and communicate findings.